Reducing Maternal and Infant Health Disparities

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Creating better service, practice and outcomes for healthy Black moms and babies

In America, Black women are 3-4 times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death than white women. The U.S. has the highest maternal and infant mortality rate among comparable countries.

Read more about maternal and infant health disparities

How wayside is addressing maternal health disparities

Wayside Recovery Center understands that the maternal and infant mortality crisis cannot be adequately addressed without understanding and dismantling racism and bias in our medical and behavioral health systems. We also understand that the complexities of the crisis require community-based responses. This means not only addressing the stigma associated with substance use disorders and mental illness, but also recognizing the inequalities that persist across the behavioral health system.

We owe it to the women and families we serve to play an active role in addressing healthcare gaps.

With support from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Wayside is hosting a free public education Project ECHO series that focuses on fostering collaboration between patients, community and health practitioners to deliver high-quality care to Black mothers, infants and their families.

Funded fully through the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (MN DHS). Nothing in these materials constitutes a direct or indirect endorsement by SAMHSA or the MN DHS of content, services or policies.

To receive regular invites about future events in this series, sign up online.

Moving Maternal Health Forward: Virtual Workshop May 10 & 11

DAY 1: INNOVATIVE WAYS OF REDUCING DISPARITIES AND IMPROVING OUTCOMES

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Register for Day 1

8:30 AM: Welcome
SESSION 1 9:00 AM-10:00 AM – Dr. Kendra Flores – Keynote Speaker – Centering Humility in Black Maternal Health
SESSION 2 10:00 AM-11:00 AM – Muffy Mendoza – Brown Momma Monologues
SESSION 3 11:00 AM-12:00 PM – Brandy Frye – I am Bias

LUNCH BREAK

SESSION 4 1:00 PM-2:00 PM – Sameerah Bilal Roby – African American Babies Coalition AABC

DAY 2: LISTENING, COLLABORATING AND RESPONDING WITH CARE

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Register for Day 2

8:30 AM: Welcome
SESSION 1 9:00 AM-10:00 AM – Dr. Talaya Tolefree – Restorative Practices in Maternal Health Care
SESSION 2 10:00 AM-11:00 AM – Calvin Williams, CLC – The Impact of Father’s on Reproductive and Infant Health and Development
SESSION 3 11:00 AM-12:00 PM – Amy Langenfeld – Overdoses during Pregnancy

LUNCH BREAK

SESSION 4 1:00 PM-2:00 PM – Doula Panel – Maternal Health Collaboration

DOCUMENTARY EVENT
Thursday May 11, 2023
Mentoring and the MIH MINI Conference
Wayside Recovery Center is hosting a screening and conversation about the “Birthing Justice” documentary in partnership with The National Birth Equity Collaborative (NBEC).
RSVP Now

5:00 PM – 5:25 PM: Networking
5:30 PM: Welcome
5:40 PM – 6:45 PM: Viewing the documentary
6:45 PM – 7:20 PM: Table Discussions
7:30 PM: Closing

Location: Oak Room on the 2nd floor
12605 Rockford Rd, Plymouth, MN 55441
French Visitor Center, Three Rivers Park District (threeriversparks.org)

Questions? Contact Nicole.Fernandez@waysiderc.org for more information and to receive registration updates.

Funded fully through the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (MN DHS). Nothing in these materials constitutes a direct or indirect endorsement by SAMHSA or the MN DHS of content, services, or policies.